The Best Types of Fixed Restorative Dental Work

Natural teeth are meant to last you a lifetime. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most of us. Dentists work hard to preserve natural teeth by performing several restorative procedures that hide minor imperfections and strengthen the tooth. Preserving your teeth in the best possible way is an investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Because your teeth act as anchors for one another, one missing or detrimental tooth can affect your entire mouth.

Restorative dental work helps by installing an implant, denture or bridge to provide the necessary stabilization. Whether your teeth have been damaged because of decay or trauma, getting restorative dental work can be one of the best things for you. Here’s a few of the most common procedures to consider.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps that go over a weak or damaged tooth and can perform many essential functions. They’re designed to hold parts of a cracked tooth together, support teeth with large fillings and secure dental bridges in place. There are various types of dental crowns used today, from the more cost-effective stainless steel ones to the digitally constructed Zirconia crowns. PFM crowns, Porcelain fused to metal crowns and all-ceramic crowns are aesthetically appealing. They blend in with the rest of the teeth in the mouth and look very natural and in most cases, it’s hard to tell restorative work has been done.

Bridges and Implants

Bridges and implants are ideal for replacing missing teeth or fixing gaps in the teeth. Dental bridges come in different types, but fixed bridges are the most commonly used. They consist of two crowns located on either side of the pontic (artificial tooth). Dental bridges look natural and conceal the gap between your teeth. They also prevent teeth located on either side of the gap from drifting into the gap. Dental implants are a permanent solution for gaps in the teeth. They consist of a dental implant, an abutment implant, and a porcelain crown. The implant is surgically introduced into the jaw bone and left to integrate with the bone. The crown is placed right over the abutment and functions like a natural tooth. Dental implants inhibit the loss of jaw bone because they exert pressure on the jaw bone and stimulate it enough to keep it strong.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is perfect for people with crooked teeth, cracked teeth or gaps in the teeth. The procedure involves the use of a tooth-coloured composite material that helps to conceal gaps in the teeth, cracks or minor imperfections. Dentists can also re-contour teeth that are taller than the rest of the teeth in the set and use composite to finish the job. Dental bonding is also ideal for patients who have misshapen teeth or slightly crooked teeth. It’s a minimally invasive and quick procedure that can be completed in just one sitting. If the teeth that need to be worked on are located right in front of the mouth, the dentist may use dental veneers instead. Veneers are porcelain or resin composite shells that are permanently cemented to the teeth. They’re a great aesthetic alternative to other dental procedures.

Teeth Whitening

This is another popular restorative procedure that’s all the rage at the moment. People with tooth discolorations bank on teeth whitening procedures to improve the appearance of their teeth and brighten their smiles. Right from at-home teeth whitening kits to professional dental teeth whitening procedures, the options are numerous. Teeth whitening done at the dentists’ office is a far better choice because the dentist can use higher concentrations of whitening agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The dentist will also apply the product in the right manner, thereby preventing increased sensitivity and gum problems.

Restorative dentistry is an important part of keeping your teeth healthy. The right procedure can help to reduce the risk of more trauma within your mouth and keep your teeth and smile intact, and eliminate further health problems.

If you would like any further information on fixed restorative dental work please contact us today and we’ll be happy to offer our advice and services.